Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN Black Review

The Rolex Daytona 116500LN model is produced by the leading Super Clone manufacturer workshops with a solid 904L stainless steel case, 40 mm diameter and high-precision automatic Super Clone movement architecture. It is among the most successful 1:1 super clone watch reviews on the market, with its sapphire crystal AR coating glass, original case tolerances and detailed workmanship.

Today, we will examine the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference number 116500LN Black, which replaced the 116520 Black, which was the first model that came to mind when talking about a stainless steel and black dial Rolex Daytona for many years.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN Black Review

Let's take a look at this watch, feature by feature, in a detailed review that is easy to read and follow.

BEZEL

The most notable difference between the two models is the addition of the black ceramic “Cerachrom” bezel. This new and improved fixed bezel is extremely resistant to scratches, perfectly resists corrosion and is completely protected against the discolouration effects of UV rays. Compared to the polished stainless steel bezel of its predecessor, the now black bezel gives the impression that the dial is larger.

A few things regarding the bezel design have also changed. First of all, the font used on the engraved tachymeter scale is bolder and more legible; It is also filled with platinum PVD. Another small difference in the bezel is the use of triangles instead of dots under the numerals on the tachymeter.

The numerals on the tachymeter now rotate around the bezel and are not placed horizontally as in the previous model. A lot of thought went into the redesign of the bezel and it has been greatly appreciated by Rolex Daytona fans all over the world.

CASE

The 40 mm x 12.4 mm thick oyster case is made of 904L steel, which is Rolex's corrosion-resistant super alloy and is known to retain its shine better than standard stainless steel. While 904L steel is not necessarily the strongest steel alloy known to man, it has more shine than others and is the perfect material for a Rolex. Other manufacturers are not equipped to use this more expensive type of steel and often outsource their cases to others. Rolex has an advantage in this regard because it produces all its components in-house.

As the world's first waterproof case, the oyster case has become almost synonymous with the Rolex name. The patented “oyster” case has been one of Rolex's most notable signatures and has persisted since its birth in 1926. A system that clamps and locks the monoblock middle case via a screw-down bezel, a screw-down case back and a screw-down crown. Thanks to this “Triplock” locking system, Daytona's chassis is protected against water, just like a submarine hatch, with a minimum water resistance rating of 100m/300ft.

While you will see this “oyster” case on almost all Rolex sports models that are not chronographs, the Daytona also has screw-down sleeves that protect the pushers of the stopwatch function.

Dial

The dial hasn't changed since the last model, so why should it? Since the Cosmograph Daytona chronograph is arguably the most recognizable chronograph dial in the world, there was nothing that needed improvement in the dial design.

From the lume-filled, appliqued polished steel hour markers to the ratios, everything remains the same. The easy-to-read Chromalight display uses a long-lasting luminescent material that glows a bright blue hue in the dark. Just like every Rolex Daytona chronograph, the word DAYTONA is written in red and surrounds the top of the small seconds display at 6 o'clock.

Auxiliary Dials

Aesthetically speaking, everything remains the same from the previous model when it comes to the silver-framed auxiliary indicators on the dial. The lower-middle subdial at 6 o'clock is the small seconds display subdial. The auxiliary indicators located on the right and left of this auxiliary dial, at 3 and 9 o'clock, are used for the chronograph.

Chronograph

The chronograph feature gives the watch an extra function, essentially being a stopwatch that allows riders to time their laps to an eighth of a second accuracy. The mechanical chronograph complication used in the Cosmograph Daytona was designed to have fewer parts than a standard chronograph, making it a more reliable chronometer. A column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch mechanism that has a smoother start/stop and reset movement than CAM-powered movements.

The chronograph's large central seconds hand glides very smoothly over the dial with that seamless fluidity for which Rolex is famous. To the right of the dial, the subdial at 3 o'clock is a 30-minute counter; On the opposite side of the dial, at 9 o'clock, is a 12-hour counter. These three hands are smoothly operated via chronograph pushers, which are pushers located above and below the crown on the right side of the case.

Mechanism

To power the Daytona watches, Rolex uses its own production caliber 4130 self-winding movements, which feature a magnetically resistant blue 'Parachrom' mainspring and stop-seconds for precise adjustment.

The caliber 4130 is an automatic chronograph movement that winds itself by using a rotor to compress the mainspring with your kinetic energy. As long as you move your arms enough throughout the day, this keeps the clock wound.

If you don't move around much during the day, you can use the crown to manually compress the mainspring. When fully wound, the power reserve should allow the watch to run for approximately 72 hours, or 66 hours if you are running the chronograph function.

Caliber 4130 is also a COSC certified movement; This means it has the prestigious title of Chronometer, proving its reliability and high precision with a maximum deviation of -4/+6 seconds per day.

When the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute gives the caliber a COSC certificate, the caliber essentially gains a chronometer designation and is then sent back to Rolex for further testing.

Rolex then inserts the COSC-certified chronometer movement into the watch case and performs additional testing until the caliber receives a new in-house designation called theSuperlative Chronometer. This title is awarded by Rolex when the caliber reaches an accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day; That's at least twice as accurate as a COSC chronometer!

Bracelet

Rolex's Oyster bracelet consists of three-piece oystersteel links. While the two outer links have a brushed finish, the middle link has an eye-catching, polished finish. The links at both ends of the bracelet connect to the polished lugs of the case; So much so that when you look at it, the workmanship switches from polished to brushed, then back to polished workmanship for the middle link.

BUCKLE

Oysterlock double-lock folding clasp, equipped with Rolex's patented Easylink 5 mm extension link; This allows you to quickly make a 5mm micro-adjustment to the size of the bracelet. This is an extremely useful feature that does not require any special tools to set up. This feature is designed to allow your watch to adjust in size to the natural expansion and contraction of the wrist when temperature and humidity fluctuations occur.

SUMMARY

Demand for this watch has skyrocketed since day one. In fact, even before Rolex introduced the new steel Daytona watches to its distribution network, pre-orders started pouring in and they were all sold out before they reached stores. There were a lot of people waiting in line to get one (or should we say, to put it on their wrist?). In short, this is not a watch that is always the easiest to find, and lately they have been selling well above the manufacturer's suggested retail price simply due to supply and demand.

Like all Rolex sports models, this one is solidly built. It has excellent sensitivity and is waterproof enough that you don't have to worry about it getting wet while swimming, snorkeling, or showering (as long as it's not in hot water). Since the Rolex brand is the most well-known watch brand in the world, you are sure to receive plenty of compliments and attention when wearing one of these on your wrist.

Rolex also has one of the best warranties in the industry. Their 5-year warranty lets you sleep well at night knowing you'll own your Daytona for years to come.

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